Backups for creative teams.
A second drive on the same desk is a copy, not a backup plan. We set up the copies, put one off site, protect it from deletion and restore a real project so you know it opens.
Quick answer
The 3-2-1 rule means three copies of your data, on two kinds of storage, with one copy off site. CISA also advises offline, encrypted backups that are tested. For a studio we add versioning and a restore test, so a deleted project, a failed disk or ransomware is an inconvenience.
Why studio backups fail.
- 01
The copy is on the same shelf
A drive next to the NAS fails with the same fire, flood, theft or power surge. At least one copy has to live somewhere else.
- 02
The sync was mistaken for a backup
A synced folder copies deletions and corruption to the other side. A backup keeps versions, so you can go back to yesterday.
- 03
Ransomware looks for the backup
Attackers target backups they can reach. CISA recommends maintaining offline, encrypted backups of critical data. Immutable cloud storage options, such as Object Lock in Backblaze B2, prevent a file being changed or deleted until a set date.
- 04
Nobody has restored anything
A backup job that reports success can still produce files that will not open. The test is restoring a project and opening it. CISA also advises testing the availability and integrity of backups.
- 05
Restoring takes longer than you think
Restoring 4 TB over a 200 Mbps connection takes at least 44 hours, even if nothing slows down. A local copy restores quickly and a cloud copy is for a bigger disaster. Planning for both avoids surprises.
The 3-2-1 rule, translated for a studio
Three copies, two kinds of storage, one away.
Three copies
The working copy on your NAS or drives, a second copy on separate local storage, and a third that lives somewhere else.
Two kinds of storage
A second NAS or external drives plus cloud storage, for example, so one failure mode does not take both. LTO tape is also an option for large archives.
One copy off site
In a different building or with a cloud provider. This protects against fire, flood and theft, and with the right settings it protects against ransomware too.
Versions and a restore test
Keep versions so you can step back, and restore a real project on a schedule. Several vendors, including Synology, document multi-version backup tasks with encryption.
What gets backed up
Not everything is equal.
A short written list is more useful than a long policy. We help you make it and keep it up to date.
Always
Projects and source media
Project files, original camera footage, audio recordings, graphics and assets. If it cannot be recreated, it is first on the list.
- Versioned
- Off site copy
- Restore tested
Always
Finished masters and deliverables
The approved final files you delivered, plus the project that produced them. These are what clients ask for again.
- Kept after the project closes
- Checked after the copy
Usually
Settings and accounts
NAS configuration, router settings, license and account records, and the password manager export held securely.
- Written down and stored apart from the NAS
Case by case
Cache and generated files
Files that can be rebuilt may not need the same retention. Decide deliberately, and write the decision down.
- Lighter policy, not no policy
Restore test
What a restore test looks like.
- 01
Pick a real project
One that matters, not a test folder. Note its size and where its media lives.
- 02
Restore it to a different place
Restore from the backup copy to a separate location, so you do not overwrite the original.
- 03
Open it and play it
Open the project in the editing app, relink if needed and play several clips from start to end.
- 04
Write down what happened
How long it took, what broke and what to change. Repeat on a schedule you can keep.
Before you hire anyone
What to ask any IT provider.
Ask us the same questions. A good answer is specific and can be checked.
Where is each copy, and what kind of storage is it on?
A list: the NAS, the second local copy and the off site copy, each with its location.
What stops ransomware from deleting the backup?
An offline copy, an immutable setting on cloud storage or another control that cannot be changed from the studio network.
When did you last restore a project?
A date and a project name. "We monitor it" is not an answer.
How long would a full restore take?
An estimate based on size and bandwidth, and a plan for what to restore first.
Who gets the alert when a backup fails?
A named person, with a backup if they are away.
Questions people ask
Is cloud backup enough on its own?
It covers off site, and it can restore slowly after a big loss. A local second copy restores fast, so most studios keep both.
What is the difference between a snapshot, a sync and a backup?
A snapshot is a point-in-time record on the same storage. A sync mirrors changes, including mistakes. A backup is a separate copy that keeps versions. Snapshots help with accidental deletes, and a backup covers the box failing.
Should we use LTO tape?
For large archives of finished work, tape can be a good fit. Many small studios do well with drives plus cloud storage. We help you decide based on how much you keep and how often you need it back.
How often should we test a restore?
Often enough that you remember how. Many studios pick a quarterly routine and also test after any change. The right schedule is the one you will keep.
Do you set up backups on a Synology or QNAP NAS?
Yes. Both have built-in backup tools. We configure them, set up the alerts and run the first restore test with you.
Plug us in. Tell us what your studio runs on.
Tell us what you see on screen. A person on our production consulting team reads it and replies, usually with the first thing to check.
Keep reading
NAS, direct-attached and cloud storage compared for small creative teams, with the sizing arithmetic.
The short list of security steps a small creative studio can finish, mapped to CISA and NIST guidance.
How a small studio moves from loose drives to a NAS in stages, without losing a project.
A 3-2-1 backup plan: local copy, cloud archive and LTO tape.
Drive failures, ransomware, and accidental deletion destroy projects every day. The 3-2-1 backup rule is the industry standard for protecting your work. Here's how to implement it.
How to archive a finished film: what to keep, how many copies, and how LTO tape, cloud storage and hard drives compare for storing masters and originals.
A comparison of cloud storage platforms for video production and post-production workflows, covering costs, upload speeds, collaboration features, and integration with the tools professionals actually use.
Describe your studio and we will take it from there.
A real person on our team reads every request and replies within one business day.